England keeper Joe has a Hart of steel

JAMES MILNER says England’s rivals are making a huge mistake if they think Joe Hart is the weak link in the team.

Joe Hart has been the subject of criticism after a poor start to the season

Milner says his Manchester City team-mate is a victim of his own success after a long run of consistent displays. He added that he was back to his best in training yesterday, with no indication that his starting place was up for debate. Hart has had a wretched start to the season for club and country. Against Scotland he allowed James Morrison’s shot to squirm past him while, for Manchester City, he looked far from comfortable under Cardiff’s aerial bombardment in the 3-2 defeat.

Hart should have an easier night at Wembley on Friday against Moldova, but the pressure will be back on when England travel to Kiev for the second World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Tuesday. Milner says Hart is mentally strong enough to deal with the flak he has faced. “He was absolutely outstanding in training today,” he said. “He was unbeatable.

Team mate James Milner believes that Joe Hart is back to his best

He’s a victim of his own success because of how good he has been and how quickly he has become England’s No 1 and playing for Manchester City

James Milner

“He’s confident enough. With Manchester City and England you get to the top and you’re there to be shot down.

“People talk less about the good things you do because they’re expected and more about the mistakes you make. He’s mentally strong enough to deal with that, but we’re all human beings and if the players around him can give him a gee-up, even if he doesn’t need it, that will help.

“He’s a victim of his own success because of how good he has been and how quickly he has become England’s No 1 and playing for Manchester City.

“Some of his performances and the saves he made – the Borussia Dortmund game stands out. We could have lost that game 8-1 very, very easily and that’s not exaggerating. It was one of the best goalkeeping performances I’ve ever seen. He’s a top keeper and we’re lucky to have him.”